Christians and Muslims Come Together During Lent

Salaam and St. Paul’s Episcopal Cathedral bring together Muslim leaders to share their stories and create understanding between Muslims and non-Muslims

Who:

Salaam, a non-religious, non-partisan organization that focuses on creating friendships and a mutual understanding between Muslims and non-Muslims. Salaam USA has partnered with St. Paul’s Episcopal Cathedral, a place of sanctuary and safety that celebrates diversity, and leaders in the Muslim community.

Salaam’s Lenten Interfaith Dialogue Series gives non-Muslims an opportunity to interact with Muslims from across the spectrum –conservative to progressive – in order to gain a firsthand understanding of the Muslim – American community

Steve Slocum, Founder and President, Salaam

What:

During the contemplative
season of Lent, Salaam and St. Paul’s Episcopal Cathedral will present a
six-week interfaith discussion series featuring key leaders from the Muslim
community. Attendees will have the opportunity to interact with the full
spectrum of Muslims, progressive to conservative, enjoy a complimentary
community dinner and a lively roundtable discussion.

March 13: A Homophobic Mother’s Journey – Siddika Jessa-Leader, CEO of WiderLens,
runs development programs to inspire individuals towards positive and authentic
Action by sharing her journey to acceptance of her son’s same sex marriage.

A Queer Muslim’s Story –
Kilian Colin,
an American Muslim Queer activist, is working days and nights to bring
awareness to the Muslim Queer community issues and to help more Muslim Queers
to come out without fears of persecution.

March 20: Israel and Palestine: Getting Through to the Real
Issues – Steve Slocum, author of “Why Do
They Hate Us?” and founder of Salaam, focuses on creating mutual
understanding between Muslims and non-Muslims.

March 27: Islam’s Roots in Social Justice and Today’s
Progressive Muslims – Ani Zonneveld, founder of Muslims for Progressive Values (MPV), advocates for egalitarian
expressions of Islam, for women’s rights, LGBTQI rights, freedom of expression,
and freedom of and from religion or belief by challenging human rights abuses
in the name of Islam.

April 3: Love for All, Hatred for None: Ahmadi Muslims, Islam’s
Persecuted Minority – Maaz Salam, is the grandson of
Nobel Laureate Abdus Salam, the first Muslim to receive a Nobel Peace Prize in
a scientific field.

April 10: The Women of Conservative Islam: The Real Motivation
Behind the Hijab – Tehseen Lazzouni, director
and founder of the Islamic Speakers Bureau of San Diego (ISB), provides
interactive presentations about Islam and Muslims to San Diegans.

WHY: For the opportunity to interact with the full spectrum of Muslims, progressive to conservative, in order to bridge the gap and create friendships between Muslims and non-Muslims.

ABOUT:Salaam is a non-profit organization that focuses on creating mutual understanding between Muslims and non-Muslims. Salaam uses events, community outreach and media to raise awareness of Islam from an unbiased, non-religious, nonpartisan perspective.

Steve Slocum, the founder and president of Salaam, is the author of the new book, “Why Do They Hate Us? Making Peace with the Muslim World” (Top Reads Publishing, June, 2019, http://www.whydotheyhateus.org).

Slocum served five years as a missionary in Kazakhstan and is the
founder and executive director of Salaam (http://www.SalaamUSA.org).
Slocum is a frequent
speaker at churches,
conferences, and civic groups.

Additional Quotes:

“Many Americans have never healed from the trauma of 9/11. Others have misconceptions about Islam fed by media coverage of extremists.” -Steve Slocum, Founder & President

“Salaam is a wonderful example of how to embrace
our diversity and promote peace and justice in our world.” – Christy
Bantugan-Bohan, Founder & Director, Pax Christi San Diego

“In a world full of division, ignorance, and
hate, Salaam builds the bridge of peace with education and fellowship as we
share our stories and work for the common good.” – Joseph Dirbes, Rector, All
Souls’ Episcopal Church, San Diego

“Salaam is the bridge to mutual understanding and
respect through education and interaction. Sometimes one does not know where to
begin when seeking a broader kinship with those of different backgrounds,
Salaam provides the unique experience to close the gap, to bring people
together.” – Tama Becker-Varano, Founder & Director, Change Begins with ME